KUALA LUMPUR – Early preparations for the national team are only justified on the assumption that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling will favour the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), or at the very least not involve a heavy sanction.
However, if the decision goes against FAM, the situation would not only be deeply distressing but also humiliating, as it would expose weaknesses in the governance and management of football in the country.
That was the assessment of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) senior sports science lecturer Sadek Mustaffa following FAM’s decision to submit Malaysia’s participation for this year’s AFF Cup.
The regional tournament is scheduled to take place mid this year, with FAM pressing ahead with preparations despite still awaiting the outcome of the CAS hearing related to the illegal heritage players issue.
The decision has drawn criticism from local football fans, many of whom took to social media to question the wisdom of fielding a team while uncertainty remains over possible sanctions from CAS, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) or FIFA.
Some supporters also accused FAM of being overly confident in the absence of a clear ruling.
Speaking to The Scoop, Sadek said that while proactive planning is generally positive, the current circumstances demand caution.
“As an early step in preparation for the AFF Championship, it is reasonable for FAM to consider all possible outcomes, including the risk of suspension or fines from FIFA while awaiting the CAS hearing,” he said.
“A proactive approach is commendable, but in reality, all planning ultimately depends on the decisions of CAS and the AFC in relation to this case.”
Sadek warned that a harsher ruling could have serious implications for Malaysian football.
“Should CAS impose a more severe punishment on FAM, it would not only jeopardise Harimau Malaya’s participation in the AFF Cup, but could also see Malaysian football temporarily buried on the international stage,” he said.
“Any form of suspension or restriction would affect not just the national team, but also player development, sponsor confidence and the overall image of Malaysian football.”
Meanwhile, veteran sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli, who is also a senior lecturer at UiTM’s Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, offered a more optimistic view, saying FAM was justified in proceeding with the AFF Cup entry.
“For the time being, we have to look at this from a positive perspective, and it is indeed appropriate for us to submit our participation for the AFF Cup,” Pekan said.
“After all, we have not yet been penalised or suspended by either the AFC or FIFA.”
He stressed that the national team would not include players implicated in the document falsification case and urged stakeholders to focus on moving forward.
“We need to move on even though the name of Harimau Malaya has been tarnished. FAM must ensure the squad consists only of players who are clean and free from controversy,” he said.
“Our participation in the AFF Cup can also provide more opportunities for local players to gain exposure.”
Pekan also called on players to ignore external criticism, suggesting the pressure could serve as motivation.
“Provocation from opposing supporters can become a turning point. It could inspire our players to prove themselves and silence critics,” he said.
“As long as no penalties have been imposed, FAM should continue managing national football activities as usual, without holding back from participating in tournaments.”
Malaysia are expected to reach the semi-finals of the AFF Cup, scheduled from July 24 to August 26, following a favourable draw.
Harimau Malaya were drawn in Group B alongside seven-time champions Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar and Laos in the 16th edition of the biennial regional tournament. The draw was held in Jakarta today.
World number 121 Malaysia are the second-highest ranked team in the group, behind Thailand (96th). The Philippines are ranked 136th, Myanmar 163rd and Laos 190th.
Group A features defending champions Vietnam (107th), Indonesia (122nd), Singapore (148th), and either Brunei (188th) or Timor-Leste (198th). Brunei and Timor-Leste will meet in a qualifier to complete the group line-up.
Teams will play a round-robin format of two home and two away matches in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
Malaysia, champions in 2010, have finished runners-up on three occasions — in 1996, 2014 and 2018. — January 19, 2026